Advocates’ choice for research

More than $5.3 million has been awarded by the Dementia Australia Research Foundation to fund 27 ground-breaking dementia research projects that will commence in 2022.

Of the successful applicants, Dr Nathan D’Cunha from the University of Canberra has received the coveted Dementia Advocates’ Award, an award given to the project thought best to deliver important outcomes for people impacted by dementia.

An Advocates group, comprising Cameron Stewart, Kathryn Moyle, Ann Pietsch, Imelda Gilmore, Lyntara Quirke and Bobby Redman, had the difficult task of ranking the projects and deciding the Award. Dr D’Cunha and his team consulted Dementia Advocates during the planning of this project will continue to do so as the project progresses.

Dr D’Cunha was thrilled to receive this Award, saying: “It is difficult to put into words how inspiring and motivating this is”.

For this project, Dr D’Cunha will evaluate a 12-week post-diagnostic program designed to enable people living with dementia to maintain independence, improve physical function, quality of life and mental health and to delay cognitive decline. The program will also identify specific needs of carers and offer carer support, capacity building, education on dementia stages and associated behavioural changes, and practical strategies to manage stress and behavioural changes.

See the full list of grant recipients. 

Photo: Dr Nathan D'Cunha